2nd Test from today

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Long-serving wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud was dropped as Bangladesh, smarting from a heavy defeat in the first game, made three changes for the second Test against Sri Lanka starting here today at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium.

The hosts lead the three-match series 1-0 and the Tigers, after the humiliating innings and 234-run defeat, fully concentrated on their batting to try and spare the blushes. That was the reason they have taken the tough decision of omitting Mashud — still number one as a keeper — as his replacement Mushfiqur Rahim is considered as a better batting option than the veteran.

Bangladesh think-tank has decided to inject more young blood as they opted for giving Mehrab Hossain, who celebrates his 20th birthday on July 8, his Test debut.

Left-handed batsman and occasional spinner, Mehrab will be the 47th Test player for the country and replace fellow left-hander Shakib Al Hasan.

Bangladesh, who struggled at this venue — the first Test venue of the island popularly known as P Sara — two years back for the lack of an extra pacer, have picked Mohammad Sharif, also a useful late-order batsman. Considering the conditions, left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak will make way for Sharif.

The match will start at 11am Bangladesh time with TEN Sports beaming live coverage from the venue where Bangladesh played two matches so far, but never managed to go beyond the 200-run mark in any innings.

The 31-year-old Mashud earlier missed only three out of the Tigers’ total 47 Tests as he had to return home from Zimbabwe in 2001 due to an injury before being dropped for the home series against South Africa in 2003 on disciplinary ground.

The man from Rajshahi has already lost his place in the one-day side to 18-year-old Rahim, who has been impressive in front of the wicket but has yet to prove his worth behind it. The two Tests he has played so far were as a batsman.

The team management, meanwhile, lost patience with all-rounder Shakib after only six innings as they believe that Mehrab, who has played 10 one-day internationals and 26 first-class matches, has the ability to perform in the longer version. With Javed Omar and Shahriar Nafees all set to open, Mehrab is expected to bat at number six.

TEAMS
SRI LANKA: Michael Vandort, Malinda Warnapura, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Prasanna Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando and Muttiah Muralidaran.

BANGLADESH: Javed Omar, Shahriar Nafees, Rajin Saleh, Habibul Bashar, Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mehrab Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shahadat Hossain, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mohammad Rafique and Mohammad Sharif.

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